Leader Dogs for the Blind

Blindness Awareness Month: Leader Dog Etiquette

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment
Two people crossing the street with black lab Leader Dog

In honor of October being Blindness Awareness Month, the Oakland County Blog is featuring Leader Dogs for the Blind, and their tips on how to interact with guide dogs.

The number of people who are blind or visually impaired continues to grow. Worldwide 285,000,000 are visually impaired and only 10 percent of people with vision loss travel independently with a cane or a guide dog.

At Leader Dogs for the Blind, our mission is empowering people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. We serve clients from all over and we have clients here in Oakland County. We want to share with you what to do when you meet a Leader Dog.

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Rochester College: Oakland County College Connections

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment

Rochester University is a four-year liberal arts college in Rochester Hills, Michigan that offers challenging academics within an inclusive christian community. Curriculum is focused on academic excellence, principled character, servant leadership, and global awareness. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered, as well as athletics and specialty programs that include studying abroad, honors programs, and more.

The college sits on a beautiful 80-acre suburban campus that’s nestled along the Clinton River Trail and overlooks the scenic Clinton River and Lake Norcentra Park. The natural setting provides students with ample opportunities for biking, walking, running, relaxing, and other activities. Nearby Downtown Rochester offers a small town, community feel with shopping, restaurants, trails, holiday events, and more. Students living on or off campus can become involved in campus ministry, theatre, music, student publications, Greek Life, and more.

In an exciting partnership, Rochester College and Leader Dogs for the Blind recently created the RC-Campus Puppy program. The goal of the program is to provide students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to raise puppies that will become guide dogs through Leader Dog’s rigorous training program. At the end of each academic year, a limited number of puppies will be distributed to selected students to be raised on campus as a member of the Rochester College community.

To learn more about Rochester University, visit them online and follow along with them for the latest Warrior news on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube using #RCWarriors.

For more Oakland County news and events, visit our website and follow along with us using #OaklandCounty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Clear Skies Draw Out Cool Rides

Oakland County, MI Government 1 Comment

An event-goer admires a red Chevrolet Bel Air at the weekly Culvers Car Meets

If it’s spring in Oakland County, it’s cruisin’ time.

When it comes to auto shows and festivals, few places compare to Southeast Michigan, whose central role in the rise of the four-wheeled wonder changed the world.  Here, aficionados from across the county motor to local events in their vintage automobiles, travelling along stretches of road that are sacred to the classic car community.

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New Canine Development Center Provides Improved Care and Training for Leader Dogs

Oakland County, MI Government 1 Comment

The Leader Dogs for the Blind headquarters, located in Rochester Hills, is putting the final touches on a $14.5 million renovation – a new state-of-the-art Canine Development Center.

Prior to the renovation, portions of the kennel dated back to the 1960’s, proving insufficient for the needs of today. It took three years of planning before the organization broke ground on the renovation in August of 2014.

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Leader Dogs for the Blind – Changing Lives for the Better!

Oakland County, MI Government 3 Comments
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The Leader Dogs for the Blind success story began in 1939, when it was founded by three Detroit-area Lions Club members. They began their new venture on a small, leased farm in Rochester Hills, Michigan and that’s where they remain today. Since the late 1930s, they have helped 14,000 clients. Almost 300 clients are served each year and more than 1,000 volunteers are involved with their services. The mission of Leader Dogs for the Blind is to empower people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. Leader dogs give clients the opportunity to venture out and become more independent in a world where travel has become increasingly complex. With several programs available, Leader Dogs is able to offer training that is personalized to each client’s individual needs. Continue reading →